Blog Entries With Tag: apnea

I’ve been dealing with feeling tired the last few years. I mean REALLY REALLY tired. No energy to do much that is active, use of sponge brain, yadda, yadda, yadda. It’s like I can sleep 10 hours – and still feel like I’m needing more. It’s like I’m a teenager again …. NOT!! Though maybe I could redo my life if I could go in a time machine.

Another thing is my DH has told me that once in awhile, I sound like I’m not breathing. I’m surprised he is awake to hear me gasping, or snorting (I usually wake myself up to that – EMBARASSING). My DH tends to sleep like the dead – in an ER crisis, in order to wake him up is very difficult. I mean imagine trying to wake up someone as the house is filling up with smoke, and one of their eyes is open, you think they’re looking at you, but they’re not registering your poking/yelling for at least 5 minutes. Yuppers, that’s my sleeping beauty DH …. once he hits the hay …. He’s out for the count. I’ll talk about this abit later after I’ve done my bit of education about sleep apnoea.

Yuppers, that’s what my GP thinks I may have. I thought my being so fatigued, more so then I ever used to be was due to a sleuth of things, depression, peri-menopause, recent thyroid problems. She says it could be part of it, but after she heard my DH explaining how I sound – she decided to send me to a sleep clinic. I could have waited 6 months for the public system to be taken care of here in Canada, but luckily my DH’s medical insurance covers 80% of the initial $500 test (ouch). That’s just for the apparatus that you see me wearing in the picture below – for two days. Yes, I am Borg Woman … hear me roar … I mean snore … I mean snort … I mean …. Fill in blank _____________ for your own amusement.

Sleep apnoea according to the American Sleep Apnea Association if left untreated “ can have serious and life-shortening consequences: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, automobile accidents caused by falling asleep at the wheel, diabetes, depression, and other ailments.”

So far, I’ve not fallen asleep at the wheel, though talking to the Respiratory Therapist (RT) at SAS here in Montreal, she says she has. Scary stuff, since I know my BIL did at one time, scrapping up against a highway girder (wee bit of damage to his passenger side – no biggie he says). He blamed that on overtime work/playtime, etc. Who knows, maybe he’s got sleep apnoea too? I know he yawns a lot when he’s at our place for a meal, or maybe it’s due to my being such a boring conversationalist?

Breathing/sleeping problems are also correlated with Type 2 diabetes diagnosis according to a recent study published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA is the most common form of apneoa - e.g. " OSA may have effects on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes ". Hmmm, along with that comes hypertension, stroke, heart failure. Who knew that having a good sound sleep could be the cure all for some of us with health issues?

I know when I posted about doing the test last week on my Facebook wall – a few responded with the joys of using a C.P.A.P machines (not cheap with prices averaging $1K for just the machine). I’m just not sure about being hooked up to a machine, having to lug it around when I travel along with oxygen tank(s). I find since going onto an insulin pump – what I lug with me now is way more than I used to bring – so imagine having to transport this type of stuff!! I’d have to hire a Himalayan porter! On top of that, I twist and turn in the bed like I’m dancing to a Beatles tune – so I’m wondering if I wind up strangling myself – or sleeping worse due to worrying about it.

I did explain to the RT at SAS that having diabetes and the fear of having a hypo (low blood sugar) overnight – is perhaps why I don’t sleep as well as some folks do. I’ve always been used to dealing with hypos on my own – not having anyone around to aid me like some of the great D-Parent’s out there that lose sleep worrying about this child going low. I think it’s just in our nature as Type 1 diabetics – to always be on the ALERT – and I doubt I’ll ever change.

One thing, one person told me that once they removed their dentures at night time (after almost 30 years of wearing them continually - and driving their spouse bonkers) - they no longer had breathing problems. Sadly, my teeth are not remobable ... yet ... but I did come across an oral dental device when looking for some pictures for this blog. The wearer has a type of mouth guard that does away with the C.P.A.P machine. I know I do have a bite guard for my teeth grinding (according to my dentist my rear molars teeth are wearing down). I've worn the device from time to time - and it does sort of prop my mouth open similar to the device shown at the website. Hmmm, to have twisted tube and machine by my side or a mouth apparatus .... decisions, decisions!!

So, test results will be known in July – I’ll keep you posted! Psst, anyone have any toothpicks I can borrow to keep my eyes open in the meantime?

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